Labour is urged to hike British defence spending amid fears Donald Trump might pull out of NATO and slash assist for UK-backed campaigns
Donald Trump‘s victory yesterday sparked a barrage of calls for a hike in UK defence spending amid fears the US could pull out of NATO.
A string of former defence secretaries said ministers should set a timetable for increasing military funding to 3 per cent of GDP in case Mr Trump reduces support for UK-backed campaigns, such as the war in Ukraine.
And new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch rounded on Sir Keir Starmer over the issue during her first Prime Minister’s Questions, challenging him to commit to hiking spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP.
During the US election campaign, Mr Trump criticised the scale of support that his country was giving to Ukraine, pledging to ‘have that settled’.
He has also signalled that he could pull America out of NATO and said he would encourage Russia to do ‘whatever the hell they want’ to any member that doesn’t meet its defence spending obligations.
File photo. Labour will be pressed to meet its defence obligations under Trump – but European leaders will fear the 47th President may pull the US out of the bloc altogether
Trump takes the stage for his last rally of the election year at Van Andel Arena on November 5
Rachel Reeves (C) operates a drone with Defence Secretary John Healey at the Stanford Training Area near Thetford on October 20
A Ukrainian soldier with a machine gun in his hands rides along a dirt road on a Challenger-2 tank on August 3, 2023
Countries who belong to the Western military alliance are supposed to spend at least 2 per cent of GDP on defence. The UK currently spends around 2.3 per cent.
Sir Ben Wallace, who was defence secretary for four years under Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, led calls for an increase by capitals across the Continent.
He posted on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Whatever your feelings about the US election are, the best insurance for all our security is to invest in our own defence and security right across Europe.
‘We don’t need ridiculous ‘European armies’ or an EU defence rival to NATO. We need to all invest 3 per cent of GDP across the [NATO] Alliance..’
Grant Shapps, another former defence secretary, said: ‘Given the US election and continued global uncertainties, the UK now needs to establish itself as the European leader of NATO.
‘I believe we must bring together the European big three – UK, France and Germany – to lead our continent’s defence together.
‘We simply cannot afford to have our security decided by the vagaries of another continent’s election cycle.’
Sir Gavin Williamson, who held the post under Theresa May, said: ‘Whichever way you look at this, the need for greater long-term commitment to defence spending has just increased overnight and the reality is that the threats we are facing, both near and far, are increasing exponentially.
‘We’ve been seeing a pivot from the US for the last sort of 25 years from the theatre of Europe to the Pacific. But what we have seen over the last ten years also, is that the threats in Europe have grown substantially. And at some point there is going to be a blunt conversation [with Washington].’
Labour peer Lord West, a former First Sea Lord, said: ‘Trump has always been very clear that European nations are not spending enough on defence. I think quite rightly he’s been saying that.
‘We’ve actually got to put our money where our mouth is. Three per cent is certainly not a radical and stupid idea.’
Fear mounts Trump could isolate Europe to stand off against Russia alone if he leaves NATO
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a £2.9billion boost for defence spending in the Budget
A Russian BTR-82A armoured personnel carrier and Yars intercontinental ballistic missile systems drive in Red Square during a 2022 parade
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a £2.9billion boost for defence spending in last month’s Budget.
But the proportion of national wealth spent on the military will in fact decline slightly, from 2.33 per cent of GDP to 2.3.
The Daily Mail’s Don’t Leave Britain Defenceless campaign has repeatedly highlighted shortages and weaknesses in the Armed Forces and has been calling for an immediate rise in spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP, increasing to at least 3 per cent by 2030.
The Labour government also says it wants to complete a defence review before making any more spending announcements.
During the UK election campaign, the Tories pledged to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030.
But Labour has not matched this and is refusing to set a timetable for hitting 2.5 per cent.
Rounding on Sir Keir at PMQs, Ms Badenoch said: ‘President Trump is right to argue that Europe needs to increase its defence spending.
‘The last Conservative government committed to raising defence spending to 2.5 per cent by 2030.
‘Will the Prime Minister finally match this commitment?’
But Sir Keir refused to commit to it, saying: ‘There is no more important duty than keeping the people of this country safe. It was the Labour government that signed the NATO treaty in the first place and we are strong supporters.
‘We have a strategic defence review. We are committed to 2.5 per cent. But I would remind that…the last time 2.5 per cent was met was under the last Labour government.’
Ms Badenoch replied: ‘He will not make that commitment, that is very clear.’
Sir Liam Fox, defence secretary under Lord Cameron, said: ‘The peace dividend that came with the end of the Cold War is now a historical relic.
‘Defence is not a discretionary spend but needs to be at a level proportionate to the risks we face in the world.’
